IT IS TIME TO UNITE AND FIGHT!
WE ARE *NOT* GOING TO LET THIS LYNCHING
TAKE PLACE! GET INVOLVED!
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
From: "C. Clark Kissinger" <cck1@earthlink.net>
PA Governor Signs Mumia Abu Jamal's Death Warrant Despite Expected Habeus
Corpus Petition Citing New Evidence of Innocence, Prosecutorial Misconduct,
Racial Bias
Abu Jamal's Legal Team to File Habeus Corpus Petition Friday, October 15 At
10:00 a.m. at the Federal District Court in Philadelphia, PA
Press Conference Will Follow at 11:00 a.m. at the American Friends Services
Committee, 15th and Cherry Street
===========================================
Rush to Execute Violates Defendant's Basic Legal Rights and Opposes
Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Bar Associations' Recent Call for a Moratorium
on Executions
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Ridge of Pennsylvania today
signed the death warrant of Mumia Abu Jamal, despite an expected habeus
corpus petition from the defendant's lawyers citing: fabrication and
suppression of evidence; racial bias in selecting jurors; and denial of the
right to self- representation, among other arguments.
This is the 171st death warrant Governor Ridge has signed since 1994 -- five
times the number signed by his predecessors over a 25-year period.
Ninety-nine percent of those warrants signed by Ridge were done while the
inmates still had time to appeal.
Aside from not waiting for the habeus corpus petition -- a process that all
defendants are legally entitled to -- Governor Ridge also decided to sign
Jamal's warrant despite the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Bar Associations'
recent call for a moratorium on all executions until the death penalty
system is proven just.
One of the system's infirmities, acknowledged by the bar associations, has
to do with racial prejudice. While nine percent of Pennsylvania's total
population is African-American, for example, the percentage on death row is
nearly seven times that amount (62%). This is the largest racial disparity
of any state in the United States.
In addition, a 1998 study by Professor Baldus at the University of Iowa
found that a young African-American man growing up in Philadelphia is 11.5
times more likely to end up on death row than in Georgia or Alabama.
``Ridge is rushing to execute before all the evidence has been presented,''
said Leonard Weinglass, Jamal's lead attorney. ``Since when does one man's
political motivations override another's right to a fair trial, especially
when a human life is in question?''
Since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, 81 people have been
exonerated. Rushing executions assures that people who are on death row as a
result of errors in process or issues of actual innocence will not be saved
through the appellate process.
The habeus corpus petition, which Governor Ridge knew was being filed for
federal review, contains more than 29 separate issues of Constitutional
violations that occurred in Jamal's trial and appeal. It is more than 150
pages, and contains more than 600 paragraphs of factual allegations
pertinent to the case.
``Several arguments will be raised in the petition demonstrating that Jamal
never received a meaningful trial and that compelling evidence of innocence
was ignored by the state courts of Pennsylvania,'' said Daniel Williams, co-
counsel.
``Above and beyond the issue of innocence -- which is paramount in this
case -- are the transcendent issues of whether or not in the 1990's someone
ought to be executed when the trial attorney admits he interviewed no
witnesses and conducted no investigation; when 11 African-American jurors
were removed on the basis of race; and when the prosecution wrongly used a
teenager's political statements to give the death penalty to an adult 12
years later,'' said Weinglass.
In addition to the defending attorneys, those working to ensure a fair trial
for Jamal include: Amnesty International, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the
European Parliament, Reverend Jesse Jackson and many others.
SOURCE: Leonard Weinglass, Esq.
====================================
From: "C. Clark Kissinger" <cck1@earthlink.net>
Update on the Signing of Mumia’s New Death Warrant and Planned
Protest Actions
from C. Clark Kissinger (10/13, 19:00 EDT)
The Governor of Pennsylvania, Thomas Ridge, has signed a new warrant for
“the execution by lethal injection of Mumia Abu-Jamal of Philadelphia.” The
execution date is set for December 2, but a federal judge is expected to
stay this order within a few days.
Mumia’s immediate response was: “This is just the next stage of the fight.
We will continue to fight. We will win!”
The governor signed this warrant, knowing full well that Mumia would be
filing within a matter of days for a writ of habeas corpus with the federal
district court in Philadelphia. Under the 1996 Effective Death Penalty Act,
Mumia had to file before the end of October.
This is the same stunt that Ridge pulled in 1995 when Mumia was scheduled to
file a petition for a new trial in the state court on a Monday morning.
Ridge rushed to sign a death warrant late on the Friday afternoon before
this filing. The pending warrant was then used by Judge Sabo as an excuse to
rush the proceedings. People should be righteously angry at Ridge and should
expose him everywhere for pulling this same stunt again.
Mumia’s legal team will be filing for the writ of habeas corpus on Friday
morning (October 15), and holding a press conference at 11:00 am that
morning at the American Friends Service Committee. The full text of the
petition (which runs over 160 pages) will be available on the internet later
that day.
Meanwhile protest actions have already started all over the country.
In Philadelphia, people are already in the streets, and on Saturday (October
16) there will be an East Coast regional demonstration. People should gather
Saturday at Broad & Spring Garden at 11:00 am.
In San Francisco, the Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal is calling for a
Mass Rally, on
Saturday at noon at Powell & Market. Also, on Thursday at 5:00 pm there will
be an emergency protest at Powell & Market.
In NYC, there will be an Emergency Response on Thursday, October 14th
rally:
1-2 pm Gather at the Police “Benevolent” Association, 40 Fulton St. and
demand "Hands of Mumia!"
2pm March up Broadway to Times Square.
4:30pm Demonstrate at Times Square (42nd St. and Broadway).
Then on Saturday buses to Philadelphia (call hotline 212-330-8029 or
212-633-6646).
In Chicago, there will be a press conference on Thursday (11:30 am at the
ACLU office), and a Monday-after rally at the Federal Building at 4:00 pm.
Also on Friday buses leaving for Philadelphia.
Other activities will be posted as we hear about them. People should take
action everywhere!
=======================================
************************************************
WE NEED YOU IN PHILLY IF AT ALL POSSIBLE!
************************************************
From: "leslie jones" <youth4mumia@hotmail.com>
ONA MOVE!
EMERGENCY ACTION ALERT!!!
Today, October 13, 1999, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge SIGNED Mumia's
DEATH WARRANT, giving Mumia an EXECUTION date of December 2, 1999.
DEMONSTRATE!
Thursday, October 14, 1999
Broad & Spring Garden Streets
PHILADELPHIA
3 PM
Mumia's attorneys will file his habeas corpus petition on Friday, October
15, 1999. The habeas corpus petition, which Governor Ridge knew was being
filed for federal review, contains more than 29 separate issues of
Constitutional violations that occurred in Mumia's trial and appeal. It is
more than 150 pages, and contains more than 600 paragraphs of factual
allegations pertinent in the case.
Aside from not waiting for the habeas corpus petition--a process that all
defendants are legally entitled to--Governor Ridge also decided to sign
Jamal's warrant despite the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Bar Associations'
recent call for a moratorium on ALL executions until the death penalty
system is proven just.
There will be a PRESS CONFERENCE following the filing:
Friday, October 15, 1999
American Friends Service Committee
Rufus Jones Room
15th & Cherry Streets
PHILADELPHIA
11 AM
There will be a MASSIVE EAST COAST DEMONSTRATION:
Saturday, October 16, 1999
Broad & Spring Garden Streets
PHILADELPHIA
12 Noon
We are meeting at Broad & Spring Garden Streets because that is the
intersection where the State Office Building is located and this is STATE
SPONSORED MURDER! Also at that intersection is the Philadelphia FOP.
WE ARE FIGHTING FOR MUMIA'S LIFE! We need volunteers immediately! We are
meeting at the Mumia office EVERY NIGHT!
Urban Education Center
4601 Market Street (46th & Market Streets)
5th Floor
Philadelphia
For more information contact International Concerned Family & Friends of
Mumia Abu-Jamal at 215-476-8812.
MUMIA IS ALL OF US!
pick up the pace............... keep up the good work..........
WE WILL WIN!
youth4mumia@hotmail.com
==============================================>
PITTSBURGH
From: Marcus Rediker <red1+@pitt.edu>
I have just learned that Governor Ridge today signed a death warrant for
Mumia, establishing an execution date of Dec. 2, 1999.
At our meeting tonight -- Wednesday, October 13, at 7:00 P.M. at the
Community of Reconciliation Church -- we will prepare for tomorrow's
emergency demonstration, at 5:00 P.M. at Freedom Corner (Center Ave. above
the Civic Arena, at St. Benedict the Moor Church).
The emergency response network must now spring into action, calling
everyone on our list as quickly as possible.
People with media contacts should call them immediately. Everyone should
make a special effort to recruit all friends, acquaintances, and
sympathetic people for the demonstration. Make and bring signs, posters,
etc. It is absolutely crucial that we make the strongest possible showing
in order to stop the execution.
=========================================>
SAN FRANCISCO
From: "Block, Diana" <DBlock@sfghpeds.ucsf.edu>
Governor Ridge just signed Mumia's death warrant and an execution date of
December 2 has been set. EMERGENCY DAY AFTER DEMONSTRATION ,
THURSDAY OCTOBER 14, 5 PM, POWELL & MARKET. REGIONAL
DEMONSTRATION SATURDAY OCTOBER 16, 12 NOON AT POWELL
AND MARKET. It is crucial for as many people as possible to come to these
protests and spread the word widely!
=======================================
DETROIT
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Distributed By: THE PAN-AFRICAN RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATION CENTER
211 SCB BOX 47, WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
********* DETROIT, MI 48202-- E MAIL: ac6123@wayne.edu *********
----------------------------------------------------------------------
-EMERGENCY DEMONSTRATION THURSDAY OCTOBER 14TH 4:30-6:00 PM
FEDERAL DISTRICT COURTHOUSE DOWNTOWN DETROIT
WASHINGTON BLVD. & LAFAYETTE CALL 313-628-4932 OR 313-869-8383
Recent Developments In The Mumia Abu-Jamal Case:
-A Governor Signs Mumia Abu Jamal's Death Warrant Despite Expected Habeus
Corpus Petition Citing New Evidence of Innocence, Prosecutorial
Misconduct, Racial Bias
-Abu Jamal's Legal Team to File Habeus Corpus Petition Friday, October 15
At 10:00 a.m. at the Federal District Court in Philadelphia, PA
-Press Conference Will Follow at 11:00 a.m. at the American Friends
Services Committee, 15th and Cherry Street
-Rush to Execute Violates Defendant's Basic Legal Rights and Opposes
Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Bar Associations' Recent Call for a
Moratorium on Executions
==============================================>
LOS ANGELES
From: Michael Novick <part2001@usa.net>
There will be an emergency demonstration in L.A. on Thursday,
October 14 at 5:00 at the downtown federal building; and a
hopefully larger demonstration on Saturday October 16 at 12 noon
at the Westwood Federal Building (near the UCLA campus).
========================================
NEW YORK CITY
Death warrant signed for Mumia Abu-Jamal
Today, October 13th, Governor Ridge signed the death warrant for Mumia
Abu-Jamal and has set December 2nd as the execution date. There must be a
strong response.
In NYC, there will be an Emergency Response tomorrow, Thursday, October 14th
rally:
1-2pm Gather at PBA, 40 Fulton St. and demand "Hands of Mumia!"
2pm March up Broadway to Times Square
4:30pm Demonstrate at Times Square (@ 42nd St. and Broadway)
There will be a demonstration in Philadelphia on Saturday, October 16th at:
Pennsylvania State Office Building at Broad and Spring Garden Streets, 11 am
People are riding the train down and there will be buses from NYC. Call the
Hotline 212-330-8029 and the In'tl Action Center 212+633-6646 for more info.
Please distribute the information on the emergency rallies as widely as
possible.
================================
MAINSTREAM MEDIA:
From: SGadIin@aol.com
SOURCE: Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
Pennsylvania Gov. Ridge Signs Three Execution Warrants
HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge
today signed warrants for the execution by lethal injection of Mumia Abu-Jamal
of Philadelphia, Dennis Counterman of Lehigh County and Jerome J. Gibson
of Bucks County.
Gov. Ridge set Abu-Jamal's execution for Thursday, Dec. 2, 1999.
In July 1982, Abu-Jamal was convicted of first-degree murder and
sentenced to die for the Dec. 9, 1981, murder of Philadelphia Police Officer
Daniel Faulkner, 25. Abu-Jamal was formally sentenced to death on May 25,
1983.
That judgment was upheld by the state Supreme Court on March 6, 1989.
The U.S. Supreme Court denied Abu-Jamal's petition for a writ of certiorari
on Oct. 1, 1990, and denied two subsequent petitions for rehearing.
On June 1, 1995, Gov. Ridge issued a warrant scheduling Abu-Jamal's
execution for the week beginning Aug. 13, 1995. On Aug. 7, 1995, the
Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas stayed the execution pending
the resolution of Abu-Jamal's Post-Conviction Relief Act (PCRA) petition. On
Sept. 15, 1995, the Court of Common Pleas denied post-conviction relief.
On Oct. 29, 1998, the state Supreme Court affirmed the denial of PCRA
relief. The U.S. Supreme Court denied Abu-Jamal's petition for a writ of
certiorari on Oct. 4, 1999, lifting the stay.
Abu-Jamal, 45, is an inmate at the State Correctional Institution (SCI)
at Greene, Greene County.
Gov. Ridge set Counterman's execution for Tuesday, Dec. 7.
In February 1990, Counterman was convicted of first-degree murder and
sentenced to die for burning his house and killing his three trapped
sons -- Christopher, six years old; James, four years old; and Scott, 10
weeks old. Counterman was formally sentenced to death on Dec. 6, 1996. The
state Supreme Court upheld that judgment on Oct. 26, 1998.
On Feb. 17, 1999, Gov. Ridge signed a warrant scheduling Counterman's
execution for April 13, 1999. On March 12, 1999, the state Supreme Court
stayed the execution pending the filing and resolution of Counterman's
petition for writ of certiorari. The U.S. Supreme Court denied
Counterman's petition for a writ of certiorari on Oct. 4, 1999, lifting
the stay.
Counterman, 39, is a prisoner at SCI Greene.
Gov. Ridge set Gibson's execution for Thursday, Dec. 9, 1999.
In March 1995, Gibson was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced
to die for the Sept. 29, 1994, murder of Robert Berger, a 76-year-old
store clerk, during a robbery. Gibson was formally sentenced to death on
Aug. 24, 1995. That judgment was upheld by the state Supreme Court on
Nov. 17, 1998.
On March 9, 1999, Gov. Ridge signed a warrant scheduling Gibson's
execution for May 6, 1999. On April 1, 1999, the state Supreme Court
stayed the execution pending the filing and resolution of Gibson's
petition for writ of certiorari. The U.S. Supreme Court denied Gibson's
petition for a writ of certiorari on Oct. 4, 1999, lifting the stay.
Gibson, 41, is an inmate at SCI Greene.
Gov. Ridge now has signed 176 death warrants since taking office. Three
have been carried out, the first executions in Pennsylvania since 1962.
For more information, contact Tim Reeves, Press Secretary of the
Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, 717-783-1116.
SOURCE: Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
========================================>
From: chris98@pacbell.net
Subject: Death Warrent Signed
Governor Ridge just signed Mumia's death warrant and an execution date of
December 2 has been set.
EMERGENCY DAY AFTER DEMONSTRATION ,
Thursday, October 14, 5 PM at
POWELL & MARKET.
REGIONAL DEMONSTRATION
Saturday, October 16, 12 noon at
POWELL AND MARKET.
Bring all of your friends, family, sign's, instruments, torches, etc...
For More info go to -
http://www.aspenlinx.com/mumia
====================================
From: "Oct22 National Office" <Oct22@unstoppable.com>
EMERGENCY! PLEASE FORWARD FAR & WIDE
We just got word that the death warrant has been signed by gov. Ridge.
Prepare for emergency demonstrations in your city. Most will take place
tomorrow (Thurs).
Check this web page for info about day-after actions in your area:
http://mojo.calyx.net/~refuse/mumia/demos.html
We can't let them kill Mumia!
Oct.22 Statements on Mumia:
http://www.unstoppable.com/22/english/latestnews
--Oct.22
=======================================
From: iacenter@iacenter.org
October 13, 1999
Gov. Ridge has signed the death warrant for Mumia Abu-Jamal. His
execution date is set for December 2. There will be demonstrations
across the country on Thursday, October 14. There will be regional
demonstrations in Philadelphia and San Francisco on Saturday, October
16.
Stop the Execution!
THE SCENARIO
The death warrant has been signed!
(1) local demonstrations Thursday, Oct. 14
(2) Saturday, Oct. 16: regional demonstrations
in Philadelphia and San Francisco
Thursday, October 14
Check the Mumia web pages for demonstrations going on across the
country.
www.mumia.org
www.peoplescampaign.org
www.iacenter.org
In New York City, Thursday, October 14
(1) The next business day, gather in front of the PBA, 40 Fulton St., 1-2
pm; at 2 pm, march to Times Square; at 4:30 pm, demonstrate in Times
Square.
(2) Saturday, travel to Philadelphia. Call for bus info.
Saturday, October 16
Philadelphia Regional Protest is assembling at Pennsylvania
State Office Building at Broad and Spring Garden Streets, 11 am.
For Philadelphia information: International Concerned Family and
Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal: 215-476-8812.
For NYC and national bus information, call the IAC at 212-633-6646 or
email iacenter@iacenter.org, or call the Free Mumia Coalition hotline at
212-330-8029.
Saturday, October 16
San Francisco: regional march and rally on Saturday, October 16
assembling at Powell and Market. Call: The Mobilization to Free Mumia
Abu-Jamal: 415-695-7745.
Stay in Touch! For more information, contact
In Philadelphia, call International Concerned Family and Friends at 215-
476-8812. In New York City, call the IAC at 212-633-6646 or email
iacenter@iacenter.org, or call the Free Mumia Coalition hotline at 212-
330-8029.
International Action Center
39 West 14th Street, Room 206
New York, NY 10011
email: iacenter@iacenter.org
http://www.iacenter.org
phone: 212 633-6646
fax: 212 633-2889
===========================================>
CHICAGO
From: "KamariYa(!!)" <ngozi@secapl.com>
Revolutionary Greetings Sis & All,
The Emergency mobilization plans in Chicago thus far are the following :
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 13th 6:00PM - EMERGENCY MEETING with the AFRICAN
AMERICAN COMMITTEE TO FREE MUMIA ABU JAMAL &
AARON PATTERSON @ THE CENTER FOR INNER CITY
STUDIES 400 E. OAKWOOD BLVD.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 14th 11:30AM - PUBLIC PRESS CONFERENCE & MASS
DEMONSTRATION @ ACLU (American Civil
Liberties Union) 180 N. Michigan
FRIDAY OCTOBER 15th - BUS LEAVING CHICAGO FOR PHILLY TO ATTEND MASS
DEMONSTRATION
MONDAY OCTOBER 18th - MASS DEMONSTRATION IN FRONT OF FEDERAL BUILDING @
4:30PM
For more information contact 312.683.5194 or 773.381.6507 or Email
MzGoldie2u@aol.com.
Uhuru Sasa,
Kamaria
============================================>
For more info about Mumia and his case, please check out:
http://www.mumia.org
http://www.walrus.com/~resist/mumia/index.html
http://www.freemumia.org
http://www.aspenlinx.com/mumia
=============================================>
From: "Kali Akuno" <jerichosfbay@hotmail.com>
To Task Everyone!!
The following message was originally intended to be released later this
evening, pending the securing of a definite meeting location for our first
Coordinating Committee meeting. However, given the nature of today's events
I decided to release it now.
To be sure we all knew that Gov. Ridge was going to sign Mumia's death
warrant and escalate the scale and pace of events (present advantage goes to
the state). Our task is to recapture the proactive initiative and move to
have the people dictate the nature of this wars outcome. The need for unity
and a comprehensive strategy is now greater than ever! So I encourage
everyone, let us stay on task and move forward in solidifying the unity,
strategies and plan of action elaborated and built on Saturday, October 9th.
Tomorrow is the first step. I encorage everyone to take to the streets
tomorrow at 5 PM at Market and Powell in San Francisco. Make your presence
felt.
Stay in touch for more details on the Coordinating Committee meeting. Email
JerichoSFBAY@hotmail.com or call (510) 595-1652.
In Unity and Struggle,
Kali
=========================================>
MILWAUKEE:
From: Job Is A Right <ajrc@execpc.com>
E M E R G E N C Y N O T I C E !!!
GOV. RIDGE SIGNS MUMIA'S DEATH WARRANT --
DEMONSTRATE TOMORROW IN MILWAUKEE:
THURSDAY, OCT. 14, 4:00 PM, 3RD & WISCONSIN!
This afternoon, at about 3:30 eastern time, Pennsylvania Gov.
Thomas Ridge signed a death warrant for Mumia Abu-Jamal. The execution,
to take place by lethal injection, is scheduled to take place on
December 2.
There will be an Emergency Response Demonstration tomorrow,
Thursday, Oct. 14, at 4:00 pm, outside the Reuss Federal Building at 3rd
& Wisconsin in downtown Milwaukee.
The protest has been called by Wisconsin for Mumia, a statewide
network representing over 100 organizations and prominent individuals
calling for a new trial for Mumia. All progressive people are urged to
attend.
Similar protests will take place tomorrow in Philadelphia, New
York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and many other cities,
including Madison.
Mumia's lawyers have said that if a warrant is signed, they
would immediately file a writ of habeas corpus in federal district
court, hopefully triggering a stay of execution. The size and numbers of
tomorrow's demonstrations will undoubtedly affect both that development
and the decision of the federal court as to whether or not it will grant
a new trial.
Your presence is needed now! Please do whatever you can to
attend tomorrow's demonstration.
For more information, call Wisconsin for Mumia - Milwaukee at
414-374-1034.
==========================================================>
IF WE SIT BY AND LET THEM KILL MUMIA ABU-JAMAL THEN
WE HAVE FINALLY LAID DOWN AND GIVEN UP. THE IMPACT
OF THIS WOULD BE FELT BEYOND THOSE WHO LOVE MUMIA,
BUT *ALL* OF OUR POLITICAL PRISONERS/POW'S AND EXILES COULD
SUFFER RENEWED ATTACKS. PRESENT AND FUTURE MUMIA'S
COULD FACE THE SAME FATE. THIS HAS TO STOP *NOW*. WE
CAN'T JUST LET THEM THINK THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH THIS
COLD-BLOODED MURDER OF OUR BROTHER. STAND FOR MUMIA!
"How long shall they kill our prophets while we stand around and look?"
-- Robert Nesta Marley
WE MUST NOT FAIL!
International Concerned Family & Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal
P.O. Box 19709 - Philadelphia, PA 19143
Ph: 215-476-8812 / Fax: 215-476-7551
Web: www.mumia.org / E-mail: mumia@webcom.com
MUMIA MUST LIVE! TIME IS RUNNING OUT!